SHOPSMITH 11” BANDSAW
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Page 36
Rock the trunnions back and forth as you
apply the graphite. We recommend pow-
dered graphite for lubricating the Bandsaw
because it’s dry and doesn’t attract sawdust.
But if graphite is unavailable, you can apply
10-wt. Machine oil to all the parts that need
lubrication, with the exception of the trun-
nions. The trunnions should either be dusted
with graphite or waxed. Use oil sparingly (1-
2 drops only) because excess oil will mix with
sawdust and impede moving parts.
Grease the Upper Wheel Bearings
Grease the needle bearings in the upper wheel.
The upper wheel is held on the shaft by a
retaining ring. Remove this ring with a small
blade screwdriver, gently lifting it out of its
groove. (See Fig. C-7.) Remove the fiber washer
and pull the wheel from the shaft. Wipe the
shaft with a clean rag to remove any dirt or
dust, then grease the bearings inside the hub.
Use cup grease or furnace bearing grease.
To replace the wheel, put it back on the shaft
with the long side of the hub toward the back
of the Bandsaw. Wipe off any excess grease
and replace the fiber washer. Push the retain-
ing ring into the groove on the shaft. When
you’ve finished, pull out on the wheel to be
sure the ring is securely seated.
Storing the Bandsaw
When storing a Bandsaw, you have two sepa-
rate considerations: How do you store the
machine? And how do you store the blades,
which are almost as big as the machine when
uncoiled. If you can, we recommend you
store Bandsaw blades uncoiled. This will
greatly reduce the chances of damaging the
blades or cutting yourself.
WARNING
Be careful when you uncoil Bandsaw blades.
They tend to spring apart, and the sharp teeth
may injure you or a bystander. Coiling and
uncoiling a Bandsaw blade is one of the few
workshop operations where it’s safer to wear
gloves.
Normal use will prevent blades from rusting.
However, if these blades are to be stored for
an extended period of time or under unusu-
ally humid conditions, spray them with a
rust-inhibiting light oil.
Normal use and regular waxing of the table
and other exposed metal surfaces will pre-
vent the machine from rusting. However, if
the Bandsaw is to be stored for an extended
period of time or under unusually humid
conditions, spray all metal surfaces with a
rust-inhibiting light oil. Remove this oil with
mineral spirits and re-wax the Bandsaw be-
fore using it again.
Bandsaw Tires
If a tire is torn or damaged or if its surface is
rough and uneven, replace the wheel assem-
bly according to the following procedures:
1. Unplug the Bandsaw and remove the
blade.
2. Remove the wheel. To remove the upper
wheel, follow the procedure described in
Lubricating the Bandsaw. To remove the
lower wheel, first remove the drive hub or
pulley from the drive shaft, then the bear-
ing retainer from inside the machine. (The
retainer is directly behind the wheel,) Tap
the end of the drive shaft with a wooden or
rawhide mallet to loosen the bearing in
the frame, then pull the wheel free, as
shown in Fig. C-10.
CAUTION
Don’t hit the drive shaft with a metal ham-
mer. This will damage the shaft.
